A novel regulatory pathway in granulosa cells, the LH/human chorionic gonadotropin-microRNA-125a-3p-Fyn pathway, is required for ovulation.

Granulosa cells support the developing oocytes and serve as transducers of the ovulatory stimulus induced by LH surge. Fyn kinase is expressed in granulosa cells, though its role in these cells has not been studied. In human embryonic kidney 293T cells, microRNA (miR)-125a-3p down-regulates Fyn expression, causing a decrease in cells' migratory ability.

A physiological approach for treating endometriosis by recombinant pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF).

Study Question: Is pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) expressed in the rodent endometrium and can it be utilized to treat endometriosis without negatively affecting reproductive parameters?

Summary Answer: PEDF is dynamically expressed in rat endometrium throughout the estrous cycle in a reciprocal manner to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); it possesses potent therapeutic properties for endometriosis that do not compromise the reproductive parameters.

What Is Known Already: Endometriosis pathogenesis depends mainly on neovascularization, with a high local level of VEGF. PEDF, a 50 kDa secreted glycoprotein with a potent anti-angiogenic activity, negates several strong pro-angiogenic factors, such as VEGF.

The role of pigment epithelium-derived factor in the pathophysiology and treatment of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in mice.

Context: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a potentially life-threatening complication of assisted reproduction. OHSS is induced by an ovarian release of vasoactive, angiogenic substances that results in vascular hyperpermeability, leakage, and shift of fluids from blood vessels into the extravascular space with consequent ascites and edema that are attributed to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Objective: Our objective was to examine a physiological approach for preventing and treating OHSS, based on negating the VEGF network.

Hormonal regulation of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in granulosa cells.

Angiogenesis is critical for the development of ovarian follicles. Blood vessels are abrogated from the follicle until ovulation, when they invade it to support the developing corpus luteum. Granulosa cells are known to secrete anti-angiogenic factors that shield against premature vascularization; however, their molecular identity is yet to be defined.

De novo synthesis of protein phosphatase 1A, magnesium dependent, alpha isoform (PPM1A) during oocyte maturation.

Oocyte maturation in mammals is a multiple-stage process that generates fertilizable oocytes. Ovarian oocytes are arrested at prophase of the first meiotic division characterized by the presence of a germinal vesicle. Towards ovulation, the oocytes resume meiosis and proceed to the second metaphase in a process known as maturation; they undergo nuclear and cytoplasmic changes that are accompanied by translation and degradation of mRNA.

Regulation of division in mammalian oocytes: implications for polar body formation.

Meiosis in mammalian oocytes includes two asymmetric meiotic divisions that result in extrusion of the first and second polar bodies (PBI and PBII, respectively). Fyn, an Src family kinase (SFK), colocalizes with filamentous actin (F-actin) at the meiotic cleavage furrow area of mouse oocytes. In this paper, these studies are extended to rat oocytes.

Myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate, but not Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, is the mediator in cortical granules exocytosis.

Sperm-egg fusion induces cortical granules exocytosis (CGE), a process that ensures the block to polyspermy. CGE can be induced independently by either a rise in intracellular calcium concentration or protein kinase C (PKC) activation. We have previously shown that myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) cross-links filamentous actin (F-actin) and regulates its reorganization.

The role of Src family kinases in egg activation.

The Src family kinases (SFKs) are believed to mediate some of the early events of egg activation at fertilization--intracellular Ca2+ increase and resumption of the second meiotic division (RMII). SFKs are both necessary and sufficient for triggering intracellular Ca2+ increase in eggs of sea urchin, sea star, Xenopus etc, but their role in mammalian eggs is not entirely determined. In this study we examined the involvement of SFKs in the events leading to Ca2+ increase in rat eggs and demonstrated their involvement in RMII.